The tension in the air of the Harris home now felt palpable as the Harris family and Nyx sat on the sides of the dinner table while Abolith and Hanako sat at the opposite ends of the table. Everyone else now also took notice of their eating habits, Hanako ate more delicately while Abolith ate a little more roughly with her meal.
"So Abolith, Hanako, you two must have quite the history with each other with that little interaction you two politely had with one another earlier." Claudia commented as everyone now looked at Abolith and Hanako to see what their responses would be.
"Well, I don't want to go into too much detail being that the children are present," Abolith said as she looked at her nieces, nephew, and Nyx. "But let's just say that I have been hired for jobs where people have been known to disappear and not be seen again." Abolith explained.
"Were they very bad people Abolith?" Mason asked.
"I made sure those who I went after always were corrupted, I swear to you all I never went after children or the innocent." Abolith reassured her nephew.
"Speaking of bad people, what did happen to that one man in 1975?" Hanako asked as everyone looked at Hanako then towards Abolith for response.
"I don't have the faintest idea of what you're talking about." Abolith said shaking her head as she ate more of Mika's dinner.
"I think you know exactly who I'm talking about. I was hired to find the man you supposedly kidnapped, I was sure you were the one who had done it, but your trail was cold after a few days of searching for you." Hanako said eyeing Abolith.
"Again, I don't know what you're referring to and even if I did, there's no way you can accuse me for supposedly getting rid of a corrupt person." Abolith said holding up her hands for a second before dropping them back down.
"Mothers, do either of you know what their talking about?" Kari asked her moms as they both looked like they were lost in thought.
"Let's see....1975, corrupt humans.....oh my god, were you two involved with the disappearance of Jimmy Hoffa?" Mika suddenly realized.
"Mika, while I do like that you have an interest in my past history, I'll remind you that I can't confirm or deny my involvement with the disappearance of any human in that time period." Abolith said with a smirk.
"Oh, you'll come clean about it one day." Hanako said raising her eyebrow at Abolith.
"Sure I will, just like you helped those men in 1962 in....where was it? San Francisco?" Abolith now asked Hanako as everyone now looked at Hanako with surprise.
"Whoa, Hanako, you helped those guys escape Alcatraz? Did one of them really look like Clint Eastwood?" Haley asked now curious.
"Of course not Haley, although they committed crimes, those men weren't without morals." Hanako said.
"Well I'm sure like me you make sure your young relatives are always protected." Abolith said.
"On that we do agree wholeheartedly elf." Hanako agreed eating her meal.
"Yeah, I think Abolith would've gone berserk if she thought that one guy took Mason with ill intent when he was two." Haley said as Mason looked at his sister.
"What guy?" Mason asked curiously.
"Oh, we've never told you this story before?" Haley asked her little brother.
"No? Moms, what happened to me at two?" Mason asked as Mika and Claudia now looked at each other both looking a little embarrassed yet nervous to tell their son.
"Okay so, when I was growing up, your grandmother used to take me and my sister to craft shows for fun. So I thought it would be fun if we went as well." Claudia explained.
"While we were there, you were holding onto my hand," Mika now explained. "At one point you let go and I assumed you went over to your mom to hold her hand, but when I looked over, you weren't there. I grabbed your mother's arms and asked 'where's the baby?' in a frightened tone. We all looked around for you, Haley noticed you walking off with a complete stranger and quickly retrieved you from the man. We don't think he meant you any harm, but I told your mom we were going home at that point. When we got home, your mom and I held you tightly and didn't want to let you go that day." Mika finished explaining.
"Wow, thanks for saving me sis." Mason thanked Haley.
"Anything for my little brother." Haley said giving her little brother a hug.
Nyx now looked over at Hanako and gave her a little smile.
"Thanks for coming aunt Hanako, I actually wanted to ask you if you could tell my parents that I....wanted to stay over with the Harris family for a little bit that is if it was okay with them." Nyx said to Hanako.
"Well, I think your parents would miss you, but the Harris family seems like a very caring family, despite the company they keep." Hanako said as Abolith stuck her tongue out at Hanako as Hanako smirked back.
"What say you Mrs. and Mrs. Harris, would it be acceptable if Nyx were to stay for a little while longer here with you?" Hanako asked the parents.
Claudia and Mika looked at one another and exchanged a few glances before turning back towards Hanako and Nyx.
"That would be fine with us. You can even sleep in Kari's room if you like." Mika replied as Nyx thanked the two.
"Oh! I've always wanted to do a sleepover with a girl my age. My cousin Ashley was a little too young to play with me." Kari said clapping her hands with excitement.
"Hey, come on, I can be fun too." Haley said.
"I'm glad I have you for company Fenrir, there's always so many girls in the house when Aaron's not here." Mason said scratching Fenrir's ear.
"Your bed is very comfortable me to sleep on." Fenrir complimented as he wagged his tail.
The mention of Aaron didn't both Nyx too much, but she did think of him for a moment before the thought of the stuff she would get to do later that night with Haley and Kari. So it looked like her time at the Harris house was looking better than she thought. After dinner, Nyx and the Harris family were treated to a show of arm wrestling between Abolith and Hanako, and it was quite a sight to behold.